Friday, July 31, 2015

Welcome to August! Summer is flying by, and the kids will be back to school soon. It's been a little quiet around here on Susan Heim on Parenting because we took a fun road trip through Florida. Although we visited some of the typical attractions, I also enjoyed seeing the less developed areas of Florida. It's good to know there are still a lot of areas full of farmland, trees and native animals. Let's celebrate summer by entering to win some giveaways! Check out the list on my right sidebar and in the linky below. Come back throughout the week as more are added. And if you're hosting a giveaway on your blog, please share it with us in the linky. Then click on the "share buttons" at the bottom of the post to let your social media friends know about all the great giveaways. Happy August!

There are many ways for children to enjoy books, and Scholastic offers a fun way with its Storybook Treasures line of DVDs! This #1 award-winning children’s DVD series enables kids to read along on screen with their favorite classic children’s stories, brought vividly to life on DVD. Today, I’m pleased to offer four of these terrific DVDs as a giveaway to one lucky family! Check these out:

20 Back-to-School Tales: The Classic Collection

In 20 Back-to-School Tales, get ready to learn ABCs and 123s with these colorful movies faithfully adapted from classic books! Full list of stories: How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?, Splat the Cat, Wheels on the Bus, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Sky Color, Crazy Hair Day, The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, Monty, Emily’s First 100 Days of School, The Gym Teacher from the Black Lagoon, The Librarian from the Black Lagoon, Miss Nelson Has a Field Day, Miss Nelson Is Back, Will I Have a Friend, Open Wide: Tooth School Inside, Otto Runs for President, Owen, The Scrambled States of America Talent Show, Shrinking Violet, The Teacher from the Black Lagoon

Scaredy Squirrel and Bink & Gollie Double Feature

Scaredy Squirrel
Written and Illustrated by Melanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It’s way too dangerous out there! But one day he suddenly finds himself out in the unknown world and ends up discovering something surprising!

This DVD also includes:Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend
Written and Illustrated by Melanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel is afraid to make a friend. When he decides the perfect friend would be a goldfish, his plan takes a surprising turn.

Bink & Gollie
Written by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee; Illustrated by Tony Fucile
Bink & Gollie are marvelous companions who often do not agree … on socks … or goldfish … or venturing to the Andes. But compromise helps them remain the best of friends.

Bink & Gollie: Two for One
Written by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee; Illlustrated by Tony Fucile
The fair is in town and these two very different girls use teamwork to navigate its many wonders.

The Very Fairy Princess … and More Imaginative Tales

The Very Fairy Princess
Written by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton; Illustrated by Christine Davenier
Geraldine knows deep down that she is a very fairy princess, but she doesn’t mind getting a little messy in order to have the perfect day! This DVD also features an interview with Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton.

This DVD also includes:Extra Yarn
Written by Mac Barnett; Illustrated by Jon Klassen
A modern fairy tale about how a young girl and her magical yarn transform a community.

The Amazing Bone
Written and Illustrated by William Steig
A lonely pig named Pearl dawdles long enough in a field of dandelions to meet a bone who speaks to her.

My Garden
Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes
A girl dreams of creating a garden full of chocolate rabbits, flowers that change color, and tomatoes the size of beach balls.

I Want My Hat Back ... and More Happy Stories

I Want My Hat Back
Written and Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Bear’s hat is gone. None of the animals have seen it, but Bear’s memory is sparked by a deer who asks just the right question.

This DVD also includes:The Lucky Ducklings
Written by Eva Moore; Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
A true story about a mama duck and her five ducklings that had to be rescued from a town storm drain during an early morning walk.

The Happy Lion
Written by Louise Fatio; Illustrated by Roger Duvoisin
A lion in a Paris zoo tries to return his friends’ visits by venturing into town to see them.

The Happy Owls
Written and Illustrated by Celestino Piatti
Two owls discover the secret of peace and happiness and share their secret with all their barnyard friends.

My boys go back to school in just a few short weeks. It’s hard to believe how quickly the summer has flown by! Naturally, I’m starting to think about all we need to do to get ready for school, such as picking up school supplies, shopping for clothes, and planning lunches. I recently learned about Go Organically Fruit Snacks, which will be a great addition to my boys’ lunch bags. This new organic fruit snack brand is made with real fruit purees and juices and is certified non-GMO, gluten-free, and preservative-free. These snacks contain 100% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C and are also an excellent source of Vitamins A and E. And they are made with natural flavors and colors from natural sources. Love it!

Of course, all of that makes Mom happy, but what about the kids? I’m happy to report that my boys LOVE these fruit snacks! I keep hearing comments like “These are really good, Mom,” and “Can I have some more fruit snacks?” Go Organically Fruit Snacks are available in three flavors, which are all popular with my kids:

Mixed Berry

Fruit Medley

Tropical

I hope you’ll head over to www.goorganicallysnacks.com to learn more about Go Organically Fruit Snacks and then pick some up at Costco for your kids' school lunches! You can also visit Go Organically on Facebook.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive some Go Organically Fruit Snacks! Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Friday, August 14, 2015.

**This promotion is valid online only at www.littlepassports.com. To redeem enter code BTS25 at checkout. Offer valid ONLY on school supplies and cannot be combined with any other offers and/or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Offer excludes shipping and taxes. Offer valid from July 29, 2015 at 8:00AM EST to August 1, 2015 at 11:59PM EST.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

I'm sure you've heard the news by now that students experience a "summer slide" -- a loss of reading skills -- when they fail to read over the summer break. But for some kids, an entire book can feel overwhelming. That's why Chicken Soup for the Soul's books for kids are perfect for reluctant readers. They contain brief short stories (usually 2-4 pages) that are not only interesting to read, but teach kids about topics like tolerance, compassion and respect. Fortunately, Chicken Soup for the Soul has a new selection out that is perfect for beating this summer's slide. Read on to learn more about this title and then enter to win a print copy of the book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be the Best You Can Be

Start a conversation with the children in your life! Read about goals and hard work, compassion and tolerance, values and good choices. In this collection of relevant, true-life personal stories, you'll meet great role models for today's youth. Read chapters about:

making your best effort

doing the right thing

accepting differences

appreciating your family

handling bullies

having confidence in yourself

being generous

making true friends

accepting responsibility

being kind

being grateful

getting through tough times

One of the stories that put tears in my eyes was written by a girl with cerebral palsy who shared how kids tease her because of her disabilities and how it's "not fun to be made fun of over something that I can't control." Another story told about how a girl coped with giving away her dog. He had grown too big for their home, but became happily settled at his new home on a farm. This book is filled with stories that kids can relate to and often experience in their own lives. I hope you'll pick up a copy for your young reader today!

GIVEAWAY

Three lucky winners will receive print copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be the Best You Can Be. Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, August 11, 2015.

Monday, July 27, 2015

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

This week with the Little Passports Blog -- Camp Explorer Week 3, you can watch your kids reach for the stars! Literally. Download their free constellation activity sheet and watch your child learn the names and shapes of six constellations!

While you are on the Little Passports blog, find out what it is like to raise a Global Citizen in Pakistan from Little Passports' latest guest blogger, Zareen Rahman. Zareen is a stay at home mom and shares a typical day with her daughter in their home town of Lahore, Pakistan.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Welcome to another Super Saturday Giveaway Linky! Let's close out the month of July by winning some prizes! Check out the giveaways listed in the linky below and on my right sidebar. Be sure to visit throughout the week as more are added. And if you're hosting a giveaway (or more), too, feel free to share it in the linky and let your fans and friends know about this page. Good luck!

Friday, July 17, 2015

It has been hot, hot, hot here in south Florida! If you're indoors enjoying the air conditioning like me, I hope you'll take the time to enter some giveaways! Check out those I've added to my right sidebar, as well as those in the linky below. Check back throughout the week as more are added. If you're hosting a giveaway on your blog, please share it in the linky and tell your followers about this page. Stay cool!

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Have you ever ruined your computer, keyboard or important documents by knocking over a drinking glass or coffee mug on your desk? Most likely, it’s happened to you at one point or another, and the results weren’t pretty! In my home office, I keep all of my beverages to the side of my desk on a bookshelf just to avoid the possibility of knocking them over. But I recently learned that I can once again keep my coffee and drinks close at hand thanks to Mighty Mug! Their drink containers can’t be knocked over thanks to Smartgrip technology.

Watch this brief video to see how the Mighty Mug works!

The Mighty Mug comes in several styles and colors, such as those featured below (more colors available):

I work at a library, so the results could be catastrophic if I ruined valuable books or computers by toppling over a beverage. But now I take a red stainless steel Mighty Mug to work in the morning, and I don’t have to worry about spilling it all over my desk. (It keeps my coffee deliciously warm all morning, too!) And I love the choice of colors so my mug is easily identified. I also want to get one of the Ice models for my afternoon refreshment. Mighty Mugs really work: They don’t tip over, but they’re easy to lift and drink. Just be sure to handwash them (no dishwasher) to retain the effectiveness of the Smartgrip technology.

Stop worrying about beverages on your desk and head over to www.themightymug.com to purchase some Mighty Mugs. They make great gifts for coworkers and friends, too. And they’re very reasonably priced from $17-$25.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner chosen at random will receive a $30 gift card to purchase their very own Mighty Mug. The $30 gift card will cover one $19.99 mug and free US shipping. If the winner is outside of the US (or wants to purchase a more expensive mug), they'll need to cover the costs above $30. Entries will be collected through Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 9pm EST.

When I was asked to review Hydrofeet Premium Therapeutic Massaging Insoles, I jumped at the chance because my job at the library often requires that I be on my feet for long periods. Many days, I come home with sore feet, and then I push my feet even more by heading out for a fitness walk. So, I really loved hearing that a product exists to help my feet better withstand heavy use and abuse.

So, how are Hydrofeet different from other shoe insoles? They’re filled with a vegetable-based, pharmaceutical-grade, FDA-approved glycerin, which provides 50 times the support of other mineral-based inserts. When you first use them, you immediately notice the difference. It feels like you’re walking on water, and you can feel the liquid inside move around as you walk. It’s a strange feeling at first, but you do get used to it, especially if you gradually increase the time that you use them. (Start with 1-2 hours a day and go up from there.) Once you’ve adjusted to wearing Hydrofeet, you’ll never want to be without them!

And there are plenty of medical benefits to using Hydrofeet. They provide arch support, better stability, shock absorption, improved blood circulation, and much more. And they’re anti-microbial-treated for odor and mildew resistance, which helps keep your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You can also wash Hydrofeet in the washing machine on a weekly basis (air dry only).

Watch this enlightening video to find out why Hydrofeet insoless work and most other products don’t:

Hydrofeet come in multiple sizes (and can be trimmed slightly to fit), as well as narrow and extra-wide widths. They may seem a little pricey at $44.95, but they come with a three-year replacement guarantee if they’re found to be defective during normal use for three years, so you definitely get your money’s worth. And when you register for the warranty, you can get a second pair free (just pay $8.95 S/H).

I love Hydrofeet Premium Therapeutic Massaging Insoles, and have really noticed a difference in how my feet feel at the end of the day. I actually look forward to walking, and I’m not whining about my sore feet each night. I hope you’ll visit www.hydrofeet.com to learn more about Hydrofeet and pick up a pair or two!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a pair of Hydrofeet Premium Therapeutic Massaging Insoles! Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

Some scents just evoke the thought of summer: coconut, melon, garden fruits and vegetables… That’s why I love the new limited edition body washes from Softsoap! Each one makes me think of summertime when I use it. Check out these new scents:

Softsoap Fiji WavesThe refreshing scents of cucumber and melon will transport you to the blissful beaches of Fiji, while the moisture-rich formula leaves skin silky and smooth.

Softsoap Bali BlissThis moisture-rich formula will leave skin radiant and smooth, while the invigorating scents of coconut and lime will transport you to the land of sand, surf and sun.

I’m currently using the Bali Bliss body wash, and I love how smooth and silky it is. My skin feels wonderful after using it. I have always been a huge fan of coconut scents, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn’t overpower the lime scent in Bali Bliss. Each scent is equally experienced and enjoyed. I’m going to miss this body wash when it’s gone!

Pamper yourself this summer with Softsoap’s newest limited edition summer body washes. Enjoy the scents of summer, plus smooth and moisture-rich skin! They’re available at Walmart until August 2015.

Disclosure: I received complimentary product samples from Colgate-Palmolive to facilitate my honest review.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

This summer, Little Passports is posting an exciting Camp Explorer activity series on their blog! Check out their most recent post and learn how to make a great campfire recipe -- your very own Pan de Campo. Did you know that Pan de Campo is the official state bread of Texas? It is also referred to as cowboy bread!

All these and more await eleven-year-old Rollie Wilson at the mysterious Sherlock Academy of Fine Sleuths.

When Rollie and his best friend, Cecily, are invited to attend a school where children learn the art of detection just like the great Sherlock Holmes, they discover a strange burglary has been committed and a mystery is afoot. Determined to investigate, Rollie discovers that appearances can be deceiving, the truth can be hurtful, and friends sometimes turn into foes.

Does Rollie have what it takes to follow in Holmes’s footsteps? Can he use his skills to solve the mystery and save the school from an unknown villain?

Rollie cleared a dry throat unnecessarily. In a high voice common to boys of eleven years, Rollie read the letter aloud. When he was finished, the entire Wilson family started talking at once with high-handed opinions, as was their custom.

“Whoever heard of the Sherlock Academy?”

“Why Tuesday?”

“It’s the first of the month.”

“I want a letter!”

“Me too!”

“Get a boyfriend.”

Amidst all the banter around the breakfast table, Rollie sat silently regarding his hash browns, the only food he ever ate for breakfast. His middle fluttered with butterflies.

Praise for Sherlock Academy

For anyone who's ever wanted to be Sherlock Holmes, this is your chance. --Adam Glendon Sidwell, bestselling author of Evertaster

My students love this book, and have asked for it again and again. It makes them feel as if they are in the story; they keep wanting to know what might happen next. Delightful story that invites anyone who loves mystery to dig in and figure it out! – Amazon Customer

Want a FREE Kindle verison of the book?

Sherlock Academy is now available in select Costcos throughout Utah, Idaho & Arizona. On your next trip, grab a copy! AND if you take a picture with the book and tag @FutureHousePub and @Costco on Twitter we’ll gift you a free Kindle version of the book!

Author F.C. Shaw

F.C. Shaw started writing stories when she was eight years old. She loves children's stories, Sherlock Holmes, and mysteries, so she had to write a book combining all three. She spends her afternoons writing for kids and her nights dreaming of new stories. She lives with her husband and two sons in a home they have ambitiously dubbed The Manor in California. When she's not plotting stories, she teaches visual arts in local schools and enjoys a good game of Scrabble.

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or PayPal cash. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. Susan Heim on Parenting is not responsible for Rafflecopter content or prize fulfillment. This post contains my Amazon affiliate link. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Get ready to Rock! Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang team up with the one and only KISS in this all-new, out-of-this-world adventure! We join the Gang at Kiss World -- the all-things-Kiss theme park -- as they investigate a series of strange hauntings. With help from KISS, they discover that the Crimson Witch has returned to summon The Destroyer from the alternate dimension of Kissteria, and the evil duos have a ghastly plan to destroy the earth! Can the Gang's cunning and KISS's power of rock save the day?! Tune in to this Rock and Roll Mystery for some thunderous, heavy FUN!

About the Scooby Doo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery Soundboard App

• Scooby Dooby Doooooo! Click around on the soundboard and trigger classic sounds from the Scooby-Doo series.
• Click the box art to bring the film home today!

One lucky winner will receive a Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD with UltraViolet copy of Scooby-Doo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery! Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Each household is only eligible to win one (1) Scooby-Doo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery Blu-ray Combo Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Welcome to the Super Saturday Giveaway Linky! Take a break from the hot sun and enter for the chance to win some great prizes! Check out the giveaways listed in my right sidebar and in the linky below, and don't forget to come back throughout the week to see what's been added. If you're giving away some prizes on your blog or website, please share them in the linky and spread the word about this page to your social media followers. Happy summer!

Tuesday, July 07, 2015

Children love to receive gifts in the mail, especially when they consist of fun activities! And parents love when these same gifts are educational. That’s why the whole family will love Surprise Ride: a new monthly adventure box for kids! Each monthly box is filled with everything kids need to do fun and creative activities linked to a particular theme. Every box includes:

Supplies and instructions for two activities

Snack

Book

Fun facts

Other cool extras

Our family received a sample Surprise Ride box for review, and the theme of the month was bees! This is what it looked like when we opened the box:

Inside were materials to make the following two crafts:

Beeswax candles

Grow a Bee-Friendly Sunflower Kit

Check out the candles that my son made:

Also inside the box was:

A bright yellow “Fris-Bee”

Show Me the Honey book featuring The Cat in the Hat

Honey Heroes Snacks

Mango and Sour Blue Raspberry Honey Sticks (being enjoyed below!)

There was also a booklet with fascinating facts about bees, such as how they pollinate flowers, how they work in the hive, how they produce honey, and how beeswax is made. Tips for protecting bees were also provided. Did you know that bees can carry 122 times their body weight while walking? That would be like you trying to carry two large trucks!

Besides bees, other monthly themes have included Ancient Egypt, magic, penguins, African safari, powwow, Japan, superheroes, volcanoes and much more! Surprise Ride subscription boxes make the perfect gift, supplement learning at home, provide fun for the whole family, and promote creativity. I hope you’ll get a subscription for the elementary school kids in your life. Only $24.99 a month for a subscription, plus receive $5 off with the code below!